TRANSCRIPT:
The streets of Seoul in South Korea have erupted in mass celebrations.
Anti-government protesters are cheering the removal of Yoon Suk-yeol, after a unanimous ruling by the Constitutional Court, four months after his widely condemned attempt to impose martial law.
71 year old Choi Jong-soon from Namyangju believes this moment was inevitable.
"He was dismissed today because he exercised power unilaterally, disregarding the people and sovereignty. This is a situation that the Korean people nor the world can tolerate. The impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol today was inevitable, and such incidents should never happen again, either in South Korea or anywhere in the world.”
Also among the crowd was Inja Cho, who came from Paju to join the rally.
"We are so happy. We are excited. As soon as we heard (about) the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol we were so crazy and dancing. So happy.”
The removal of Yoon Suk-yeol makes him just the third President to be impeached in South Korea - and the second to be permanently removed from office.
It also means there will be a new presidential election within 60 days.
Ms Cho already has her candidate in mind.
“Definitely Lee Jae-myung. Lee Jae-myung should be the president of Korea. He is the hope for Korea.”
Anti-Yoon protester Kim Keon believes the President's removal presents an opportunity for national reflection.
“I think the Constitutional Court made a very obvious and rightful decision. I feel that this ruling could help restore order and trust in our society… a chance for our society to start paying attention again to areas we may have overlooked for too long.”
The rallies have not just been about celebrating Mr Yoon’s downfall.
For many, it's about reclaiming power for the people.
Hanul Park is a member of Candle Action, the civic group leading the Yoon Seok -yeol government's retirement movement.
“Whoever becomes the next president, I hope that person will truly recognise the people as the sovereign authority.”
But Ms Park, like many others, says the problems will not end with Mr Yoon’s impeachment.
PARK: “I know there is a far way more to go.”
JOURNALIST: “Why?”
PARK: “Why? You know President Yoon, he is just the tip of the iceberg, yeah.”
But not everyone has been celebrating.
Outside the court, Yoon’s supporters like Woo Dong Gyun have been just as vocal in their outrage.
“As a citizen, I find this result absolutely unacceptable. There are claims in some circles that testimonies or evidence may have been fabricated.”
Another supporter, Lim Hwa-Sup, says the ruling has shattered his faith in government entirely.
"I can no longer trust any public officials in South Korea, and I feel that the legislative, judicial, and executive branches are all meaningless. From my perspective, I can only see this as proof that the country is corrupt, and I want to make it clear that I have no trust or faith in anyone in public office."
Still, protester Lee Sang-Joon believes the court decision marks a new beginning.
"I believe this is a truly significant moment for South Korea to rise again. However, this is not the end of everything but rather the beginning of something new. We firmly believe that this marks the start of a new chapter in our country's history - one that will be remembered with pride. This is an incredibly joyful moment. Thank you."
